John Cameron was born in Bealiba, but enlisted from Ballarat South on 17th August 1914. He was 21 years old, single and employed as a steward. He had spent 18 months as a Senior Cadet, and so was keen to join the 8th Infantry Battalion to be with his mates. On 3rd of October Jack reported sick to the Regimental Aid Post, and was evacuated to the 3rd Australian General Hospital on Lemnos, a nearby Greek island. He was quite ill with diarrhoea. On the 21st October he was embarked on the Hospital Ship Aquitania and sailed for England, where he was admitted to the 2nd Southern General Hospital at Bristol.
In August 1915 he was appointed Lance Corporal. On the 6th October, during the aftermath of the terrible fighting at Broodseinde, Belgium, John Cameron was wounded by shrapnel in his right leg. He entered the medical evacuation system, and on the 10th October 1917 he was admitted to the Norfolk Military Hospital in England. On the 26th October 1917 he was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital for rehabilitation. He was then discharged from hospital to Convalescent Depot at Hurdcott on 17th November 1917. His medical situation was re-assessed and on 4th March 1918 he sailed from Southampton to Le Havre in France. He rejoined the 8th Battalion on 9th March 1918.
After completing the necessary procedure Lance Corporal John Cameron was discharged from the AIF on 31st January 1919. Tree No. 30, an elm, was planted by Miss M. Donovan, a 'Lucas Girl' , in the Ballarat Avenue of Honour, on 4th June 1917.